<b><i>Nate Riffle was a pretty serious MTB competitor in the not-so-distant past. He worked his way up to the now-defunct Semi-Pro class before working his way up the ranks at Giant Bicycles where he now crushes it in the marketing department. Enjoy this "semi-pro" bike check on his 2013 Giant Reign with DIY Reverb Stealth cable routing and custom suspension graphics courtesy of RockShox.</i></b> -gordo

Parts

Brand

Model

Additional info

Frame

Giant

2013 Reign

Size Large. Reign 2 colorway, now with Threaded BB and ISCG tabs!

Rear Shock

RockShox

Monarch Plus RC3

dayglo stickers

Fork

RockShox

Lyrik RC2DH Solo Air

Travel Adjust feature 130-160mm

Headset

FSA

Handlebar

Renthal

FatBar Riser Bar

38mm rise, 750mm width

Stem

Other

Giant Connect.

70mm length

Grips

Giant

Sole-O lock-on

Brakes

Avid

X0 Trail

Brake Levers

Avid

X0 Trail

Shifters

SRAM

XX1

Rear Derailleur

SRAM

XX1

Chainguide

MRP

Bash Only

No Need for a guide w/ XX1!

Cranks

SRAM

XX1

Chainrings / Sprocket

SRAM

XX1

36T

Bottom Bracket

SRAM

Team GXP Bottom Bracket

Chain

SRAM

XX1

Cassette / Rear Cog

SRAM

XX1

Pedals

Time

X-Roc Trail Pedal

Front Rim

DT Swiss

EX1750

Rear Rim

DT Swiss

EX1750

Hubs

DT Swiss

EX1750

Spokes

DT Swiss

Front Tire

Maxxis

Minion DHF 2.3

Rear Tire

Maxxis

Minion DHF 2.3

Saddle

Fizik

Tundra2

Seatpost

RockShox

Reverb Stealth

I am aware that my frame warranty has been voided by my DIY drilling of the hole for Stealth. You should know that, too.

Seatpost Clamp

Other

Giant

General Info

Model Year

2013

Riding Type

Trail / All-Mountain

Weight

29 lb 0 oz (13154 g)

Additional Info

I'm aware that my frame warranty has been voided by drilling the hole for Stealth. You should know that, too. I might not have a fancy X-ray machine like Señor Moga, but I did lean on our industrial design guys here to lend me some FEA test data to find a spot on the frame with the lowest potential for failure before drilling a hole for the RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost."

@Ballr, Yeah that is my seat angle for XC. It looks a little more extreme in these photos than it really is. I run all of my saddles nose up, but just slightly. Helps to keep me 'ducks in a row'....

Thanks for the props guys, stoked on how it came out.

@Uncle Cliffy - I want to find a spot to drill on my Trance X Advanced too, but that bike is soo much fun I couldn't live with myself if that cause it to fail. I just run a cable actuated post using the front der cable stops. With less housing it works super smooth and you can run the cable nice and short so it's not too intrusive on your legs.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one. I ride in the PNW and I've found the 60comp Maxxis stuff to be pretty good. Not as grippy as a soft Schwalbe, but they roll noticeably faster, even if they are slightly heavier. In California it matters even less, as its mostly dry hardpack. If you're pushing the clock and are an experienced rider I still haven't ridden a tire that carries more speed considering the insane amount of bite it has in corners. Yes they can be slippy over wet roots but if you find the right PSI they actually manage pretty well. The trade off is rolling efficiency, and as this looks to be an enduro race bike I'd say its worth the compromise. I keep trying all kinds of tires, but I always seem to end up back on Minions. Their predictability allows you to get right up to the limit but rarely go past it. I think its a good choice for this bike considering its use and loctaion.